[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 125 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1605-E1606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REPORT FROM INDIANA--THOMAS JACKSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID M. McINTOSH

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 1996

  Mr. McINTOSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give my report from 
Indiana.
  Each weekend, my wife Ruthie and I travel across Indiana to meet with 
Hoosiers.
  And every time, we travel the Second District of Indiana, we become 
more amazed with the hundreds and hundreds of individuals who are out-
there working day and night to make a difference taking responsibility 
to make our communities better places to live.
  I like to call these individuals Hoosier Heros. Hoosier Heros because 
they do good things for their friends and neighbors.
  Today I recognize, Thomas Jackson of Anderson, IN as a Hoosier Hero.
  Ruthie recently spent a day with Thomas. Afterwards she shared with 
me Tom's tireless efforts to help children in Madison County.
  You see Tom owns and operates his own restaurant--the ``Prime Time 
Deli and More.''
  And between spending time with his family and the responsibilities of 
running his own business, his free time is stretched thin.
  But that doesn't stop Tom from helping others. He has taken on a 
crucial challenge.
  Thomas has taken on himself, the mission, to spread the message 
``Just Say No!'' to our young people.
  Tom travels to schools in Madison County educating, warning and 
teaching children to say: ``No to drugs and alcohol.'' Thomas' mission 
is special and close to his heart.

  Nine years ago, his own son Thomas Jr., became involved with a drug 
cartel in the neighboring city of Muncie.
  His son almost lost his own life. Thomas Jr. was in pretty bad shape 
but with the love of his father and family, he survived. He turned his 
life around.
  Thomas Jr. was recently married and today lives a happy life. Thomas 
Jackson decided that the best way for others to avoid the same tragedy 
as his own son, was to take a leadership role in warning children.
  He started an alcohol and drug awareness program: ``Youth Needs Prime 
Time.'' that's reassuring.
  Today he educates children about the very real danger and possible 
lethal consequences of drugs and alcohol use.
  One of his volunteers is a 24-year-old, ex-gang member, Roosevelt 
Rees.

[[Page E1606]]

  Roosevelt has turned his life around. And is now dedicated to making 
sure kids don't make the same mistake of using drugs like he did.
  The effort--is crucial especially, when study after study tells us 
that drug use among America's children is at an alarming all time high.
  Drug usage among 14 and 15-year-olds are up 200 percent since 1992. 
And that's frightening.
  Every community in America needs a hero like Thomas Jackson on the 
front lines of the drug war defending and educating our children.
  Madison County residents are privileged to have such a friend in 
their community.
  And today I would like to say, ``thank you'' to Thomas Jackson and 
Youth Needs Prime Time for their hard work and dedication. He is a 
Hoosier Hero.
  That concludes my report from Indiana.

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